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The Future of Heavy Truck Steering: Square Ball Universal Joint®

CCTY

CCTY recently introduced its innovative Square Ball Universal Joint to the heavy truck market after years of success in the construction industry. This simplified, patented design significantly enhances the performance and reliability of heavy trucks, offering a smoother, maintenance-free steering solution that keeps trucks on the road longer and reduces operational costs.

Delivering Consistently Smoother Rotation

At the heart of CCTY’s universal joint is a unique square ball element that simplifies the traditional universal joint design. Unlike conventional universal joints, which often contain nearly 100 individual parts, this new design is engineered with just eight components—and only three of those parts are actually necessary for torque transmission.

This simplified design delivers consistent starting torque and a smoother rotation. Traditional universal joints rely on needle bearings that require preloading, which can negatively affect the rotational smoothness. The Square Ball Universal Joint’s design eliminates the need for preloading in the assembly process—enabling consistent, smooth and reliable operation.

Eliminating Fretting for Enhanced Longevity

Fretting is a common failure mode in conventional universal joints, particularly in heavy truck steering systems, where replacement is typically necessary approximately every 250,000 miles. CCTY’s Square Ball Universal Joint addresses this issue head-on with a large bearing surface contact area that prevent fretting altogether. This not only extends the life of the joint, but minimizes downtime and replacement costs—contributing to the truck’s overall efficiency.

Enabling Maintenance-Free Operation

The Square Ball Universal Joint is engineered to enable the steering shaft assembly to be maintenance free. This is achieved through a boot seal that keeps grease on the bearing surfaces while protecting the moving components from contaminants. Boasting an IP68 rating, this design ensures long-lasting performance in even the harshest conditions. The elimination of required maintenance is a significant advantage for truck operators, who can enjoy increased reliability and reduced warranty issues.

Tailoring Solutions to Rigorous Market Demands

At least 90% of the parts that CCTY manufactures are customized to meet the unique specifications of each application. As yet another demonstration of this precision engineering, CCTY is already collaborating with a large European truck manufacturer to design and produce a standardized Square Ball Universal Joint that is tailored to its fleet’s specific needs.

In addition, CCTY is actively engaging with leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers within the heavy truck market to explore further applications for its Square Ball Universal Joint. Our company continues to validate the design’s benefits and durability through ongoing performance testing, ensuring that this innovative solution meets the rigorous demands of the heavy truck market.

To learn more, visit: www.cctygroup.com/square-ball-universal-joint

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